10 examples plastic soup prevention

10 Examples of

Plastic Soup Prevention

What can we do now to prevent the generation

of Plastic Soup?

by Siem Haffmans

10 examples of Plastic Soup prevention | Siem Haffmans

FISHING EQUIPMENTEach year approximately 640,000 tonnes of fi shing equipment are being discarded, making up about one tenth of overall ocean pollution.

PRIORITY SOURCES FOR PREVENTIONThe following sources of plastics have been selected, because they are most often present in the oceans and seas:

SHOPPING BAGS1 trillion plastic bags are used and discarded every year…!

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Natural and biodegradable ropes and nets:• made from natural materials• marine-degradable biopolymers (PLA or PHA)Eagle Claw - Bioline• 100% biodegradable fi shing line (material?). • Bioline degradation occurs in the outdoor environment

regardless of whether it’s above or below the water.

fi shing equipmentshopping bagsdisposablesbottles & capshygiene productstextileslogistic packaging

consumer packagingcosmeticsballoons… and so many other things

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Reusable shopper• preferable made of post-consumer recycled materials

or biodegradable, natural materials Biodegradable bags• made from bio-based materials• marine-degradable• recyclable Recycled bags• made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic• recycling system must be closed

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DISPOSABLESGlobal demand for foodservice disposables is forecast to increase 4.8 percent annually through 2013. The U.S. will remain the largest market, while more rapid growth is expected in China and other developing regions.

BOTTLES AND CAPSIn the middle of the North Pacifi c Ocean, on a tiny island 1,000 miles from the nearest big city, many Laysan albatross chicks die each year because their bellies are full of bottle caps, toothbrushes and other plastic waste.**) “Montery Bay Aquarium, Laysan (www.monterybataquarium.org)

HYGIENE PRODUCTSEach baby will use about 6000 diapers before being potty trained. Because people are living longer, the use of adult incontinence diapers is also on the rise

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Deposit event cups • reuseable (25-100 times)• recyclable• unbreakableBiodegradable trays and cups• palmleave plates (Hampy)• PLA cups Recycling• Cup2paper (SITA)

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Reusable bottles• refi ll (Dopper)Bio-degradable bottles• 100% bio-degradable and recyclable (Prima)• should be marine degradableRecycled bottles• 100% recycled PET (Innocent)• recycling system must be closed

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Reuseable products• UK-based company Knowaste claims that they are the “world’s fi rst provider of a

recycling solution for nappies, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products”.Biodegradable products • bio-based materials• should be marine degradable • packaging must be recyclable

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TEXTILESAn important source of microplastic appears to be sewage contaminated by fi bres from the washing of clothes. Experiments with sampling of wastewater from domestic wash-ing machines demonstrated that a single garment can produce >1900 fi bres per wash.**) “Accumulations of microplastic on shorelines worldwide: sources and sinks”, Mark Anthony Browne, e.o., Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on September 14, 2011

TRANSPORT PACKAGING

CONSUMER PACKAGINGThe market for rigid plastic packaging for food and drink in Europe is expected to achieve above average growth in volume terms between 2010 and 2015. (Source: Pira International)

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Biodegradable fi bres: cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc.

Tencel® (cellulose fi bres), Primarily made from Eucalyptus wood. Eucalyptus is an evergreen plant which grows to a height of up to 40 meters.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Reusable Packaging• leading companies in a wide variety of industries across

the globe, prefer reusable packaging for the economic, social and environmental value that re-use provides.

Recyclable• plastic pallets and crates can be made of recycled plastics

and can be recycled after being used for tens of yearsBiodegradable• BIO8 > 100% Bio-based ingredients (starch foam) and 100% Compostable• should be marine degradable

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:No packaging• take care of product damage or foodwaste Reusable packaging• reusable packagingRecycling• use 100% recycled materials• recycling system must be closedBiodegradable packaging• 100% Bio-degradable (Paperfoam)• should be marine-degradable

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POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

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COSMETICSAccording to a recent study, microplastics have now replaced natural exfoliating materials (such as pumice, oatmeal, apricot and walnut husks) in many facial cleans-ers. The majority of facial cleansers available today list polyethylene as an ingredient, sometimes describing it as “micro-beads” or “micro-exfoliates”Slate Explainer article on biodegradation: “Will My Plastic Bag Still Be Here in 2507?” 27 June 2007 Accessed September 2010: http://www.slate.com/id/2169287/nav/navoa/

BALLOONSWhat goes up must come down! Balloons return to the land and sea where they can be mistaken for prey and eaten by animals. Sea turtles, dolphins, whales, fi sh, and seabirds have been reported with balloons in their stomachs. It is believed that they mistake balloons for jellyfi sh which are their natural prey.

OTHER THINGSMany other things end up in the seas and oceans

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Biodegradable ingredients• Aveda: essential oils and herbal ingredients (certifi ed organic)• no micro-beads or plastics Packaging• reusable or minimized packaging • 100% recyclable and post-consumer recycled materials • marine degradable

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Don’t release balloons • plant a tree, blow bubbles, …Biodegradable materials• balloons should be marine-degradablePackaging• reusable or minimized packaging • 100% recyclable and recycled material

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:Refuse and reduce• think before you buy!Re-use and recycle• use 100% recyclable and post-consumer recycled materials Biodegradable materials• use bio-based materials• materials should be marine-degradable

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Partners for Innovation | Siem Ha� mans - Copyright © 2011

� anks to:PLASTIC SOUP FOUNDATION - WORKING GROUP STRATEGY AND INNOVATION:

Hans van Weenen, Wouter Lubberts, Ruud Halbertsma, Jeroen DagevosGRAPHIC DESIGN:

Harmen Spek - Lartido.com


10 examples plastic soup prevention

Environment